Generation of superheated steam for the preparation of a beverage

ABSTRACT

Assemblies, machines, systems, and methods for the generation of superheated are discussed A steam super-heat assembly is employed for generating superheated steam for the preparation of coffee-based beverages. The assembly includes a body that includes an internal cavity, a heating element that includes heating surfaces positioned within the internal cavity, and a flow path within the internal cavity. The body also includes an input that enables fluid access into the internal cavity and an output that enables fluid egress out of the internal cavity. The heating element heats the heating surfaces of the heating element. The flow path enables fluid to flow from the input, through the internal cavity of the body, and to the output of the body. The heating surfaces form a portion of the flow path. When the fluid flows through the internal cavity, the fluid is in direct physical contact with the heating surfaces.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/161,036, filed on May 20, 2016, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the generation of steam, andmore particularly, but not exclusively, to generating superheated steamfor the preparation of a beverage, including but not limited to acoffee-based beverage, a tea-based beverage, or a chai-based beverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Espresso is a concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing heatedpressurized water through ground coffee beans. By forcing heatedpressurized water through ground coffee beans, the beverage producedduring an espresso brewing process absorbs more of the flavor producingcomponents, such as the oils and various solids found in the beans. Ascompared to coffee beverages produced by other brewing methods, such asdrip brewing, an espresso brewing process results in a thicker beveragewith a creamy texture and a concentrated and complex taste profile.Also, because the water is under pressure, the coffee grounds used forespresso may be ground finer than the coffee grounds used for otherbrewing processes. This results in greater surface area of coffeegrounds for which the pressurized water can come into contact with,absorbing more of the flavor producing chemicals from within thegrounds. Furthermore, for an espresso brewing process, the grounds maybe tamped to provide a greater stacking efficiency of the grounds, whichpromotes the water's penetration of the grounds, resulting in stillgreater flavor extraction.

Because of its relatively high concentration, as compared to othercoffee beverages, espresso may be served in a small portion referred toas a shot, measuring approximately 1 U.S. fluid ounce. Espresso may alsobe served in integer multiples of a shot, such as a double shot or atriple shot. Espresso is typically prepared using a specialized coffeemachine, referred to as an espresso machine. Brewing a shot of espressomay be referred to as pulling a shot of espresso because some espressomachines require a user of the machine, or a barista, to pull a springloaded lever that is attached to a piston, where pressure created by thepiston forces the water through the coffee grounds. Although theconstruction of espresso machines may vary, the machines are oftenloosely categorized by the drive mechanism used to produce the requiredpressure. One popular method used to produce the pressure is to employ amotor driven pump. Machines that employ such a pump are oftencollectively referred to as pump-driven, or simply pump espressomachines.

Espresso is a popular beverage worldwide. In addition to servingespresso as a shot, espresso may be used as a base for other popularcoffee beverages, such as cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos, andamericanos. Some preparations of espresso based beverages may use wetsteam to heat and/or froth milk. Many espresso machines are able tosupply the heat and pressure required to brew espresso. In addition,some machines may supply heat and pressure to generate the wet steamthat is used in the preparation of various espresso based beverages.Thus, it is with respect to these and other considerations that thepresent invention has been made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments are directed towards assemblies, machines, systems,and methods for the generation of superheated or dry steam. Variousembodiments include a steam super-heat assembly for generating steam forthe preparation of a beverage. In some non-limiting exemplaryembodiments, the beverage may be a coffee-based beverage. However, inother embodiments, the beverage may include a base that is not coffee.For instance, the beverage may be a tea- or chai-based beverage. Thesuperheated steam may be employed in the preparation of virtually anybeverage.

The assembly may include a body that includes an internal cavity, aheating element that includes heating surfaces positioned within theinternal cavity of the body, and a flow path within the internal cavity.The body may further include an input that enables fluid access into theinternal cavity and an output that enables fluid egress out of theinternal cavity. The heating element may be configured and arranged toheat the one or more heating surfaces. The flow path enables fluid toflow from the input, through the internal cavity of the body, and to theoutput of the body. A portion of the heating surfaces of the heatingelement form a portion of the flow path. When the fluid flows throughthe internal cavity of the body, a portion of the fluid is in directphysical contact with the heating surfaces.

In some embodiments, the assembly may further includes a helical memberpositioned within the internal cavity. A portion of the helical membermay form a portion of the flow path. Accordingly, the flow path may be ahelical flow path. The body, the heating element, and the helical membermay be concentric about the longitudinal axis of the body. The helicalmember may be laterally intermediate the body and the heating element.In at least one embodiment, the helical member restricts a longitudinalflow of the fluid through the internal cavity of the body. The helicalmember may be a coil spring that surrounds the one or more heatingsurfaces of the heating element. The heating element may be a rod-shapedheating element. The heating element may extend in a longitudinaldirection of the internal cavity of the body.

In various embodiments, the assembly further includes a first and asecond end cap. The first end cap may be positioned on a firstlongitudinal end of the body. The second end cap may be positioned on asecond longitudinal end of the body. The input and the output may belongitudinally intermediate the first and the second end caps.

Various embodiments are directed towards a machine that is enabled tobrew a beverage and generate vaporized fluid. The beverage may be, butis not limited to a coffee-based beverage. In at least one embodiment,the beverage may be a brewed beverage. In various embodiments, themachine includes a steam tank that partially vaporizes the fluid, asuper-heater assembly that is downstream from the steam tank, and asteam wand that is downstream from the super-heater assembly. In someembodiments, the fluid is not completely vaporized in the steam tank.The super-heater assembly receives the partially vaporized fluid. Thesuper-heater assembly may include a heating element and a flow path. Theflow path is in thermal contact with the heating element. The partiallyvaporized fluid flows through the flow path and is further vaporized. Insome embodiments, the vaporization of the fluid is completed in the flowpath. In at least one embodiment, superheated steam or dry steam, isgenerated in the flow path. The steam wand may provide the furthervaporized fluid to a user of the machine.

In various embodiments, the machine may further include a valve betweenthe steam tank and the super-heater assembly. The valve regulates a flowrate of the further vaporized fluid that is provided to the user. Thevalve may regulate the flow rate of the further vaporized fluid by atleast pulsing between an open state and a closed state. The valve may bea proportional valve.

In some embodiments, the super-heater assembly further includes a bodythat houses the heating element and the flow path and a thermalinsulator. The thermal insulator partially surrounds the body. Thethermal insulator partially thermally insulates the body, the heatingelement, and the flow path from an ambient environment. The assembly mayfurther include a helical member. The helical member at least partiallyforms the flow path. The flow path may be a helical flow pathsurrounding the heating element. In some embodiments, the heatingelement forms the flow path. When the partially vaporized fluid flowsthrough the flow path, the partially vaporized fluid is in directphysical contact with the heating element and is further vaporized.

In some embodiments, the machine may further includes a thermocouple anda controller. In some embodiments, the controller may be a processordevice, such as a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a centralprocessing unit (CPU), or the like. A controller may include a logicdevice, such as but not limited to an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. Thethermocouple may be in thermal contact with at least a portion of thesuper-heater assembly. The thermocouple may be enable to generate asignal based on a temperature of a portion of the super-heater assembly.The controller may receive the signal. The controller may adjust atemperature of the heating element based on a difference between thetemperature of the portion of the super-heater assembly and atemperature threshold. Accordingly, the controller and thermocouple maywork together to generate and respond to thermostatic feedback.

Various embodiments are directed towards a system for an espressomachine. The system may produce or generate superheated steam. Thus, thesystem may be a steam system. The system may include a resistive heatingelement, a helical flow path positioned around the resistive heatingelement, and a steam output in fluid communication with and downstreamfrom the helical flow path. The helical flow path may receive wet steamproduced in the espresso machine. The helical flow path may expose thewet steam to the resistive heating element. The resistive heatingelement transforms the wet steam into superheated steam. The steamoutput may provide the superheated steam to a user of the espressomachine.

In some embodiments, the system may further includes a steam tank thathouses water and another resistive heating element positioned within thesteam tank. The helical flow path may be in fluid communication with anddownstream from the steam tank. The wet steam may be generated via heattransfer from the heating element to the water housed in the steam tank.Furthermore, the steam tank may provide the wet steam to the helicalflow path. In at least one embodiment, the system further includes aproportional valve.

The proportional valve may regulate a flow rate of the superheated steamprovided to the user. In some embodiments, the system may include atube-shaped body. The tube-shaped body may houses the resistive heatingelement and the helical flow path. Some embodiments may include a coilspring that at least partially forms the helical flow path. At least oneembodiments includes a steam handle and one or more magnets. The magnetsprovide the user tactile feedback when operating the steam handle.Furthermore, an espresso machine may include one or more magneticswitches that magnetically coupled to the steam handle. The one or moremagnetic switches may sense a position of the steam handle.

Various embodiments are directed towards a method for employing amachine for a preparation of a beverage. The beverage may be acoffee-based beverage. The methods may include partially vaporizing afluid housed within a tank included in the machine and providing thepartially vaporized fluid to a super-heater assembly included in themachine. The super-heater assembly may be downstream from the tank. Themethod may further include employing the super-heater assembly tofurther vaporize the fluid and providing the further vaporized fluid toa potable liquid to heat the potable liquid. The fluid may be completelyvaporized in the super-heater assembly to generate superheated steam.The potable liquid may include, but is not otherwise limited to milk.

As discussed throughout, the super-heater assembly may include at leasta heating element and a flow path positioned around the heating element.The flow path receives the partially vaporized fluid from the tank. Theflow path may expose at least a portion of the partially vaporized fluidto the heating element and a heat transfer from the heating elementfurther vaporizes the partially vaporized fluid. In some embodiments,the super-heater assembly further includes a helical member and a body.The heating element, the helical member, and the body form at least aportion of the flow path.

In some embodiments, the method further includes brewing one or moreshots of espresso and providing the heated potable liquid to the one ormore shots of espresso. In at least one embodiment, the method includesadjusting a flow rate of the partially vaporized fluid from the tank tothe super-heater assembly and adjusting a moisture content of thefurther vaporized fluid that is provided to the potable liquid byadjusting a temperature of a portion of the super-heater assembly. Invarious embodiments, the flow rate of the partially vaporized fluid fromthe tank to the super-heater assembly is adjusted by controlling one ormore valves positioned downstream from the tank and upstream from thesuper-heater assembly.

Various embodiments are directed towards one or more methods forgenerating superheated steam within an espresso machine. At least one ofthe methods may include generating wet steam within a steam tank. Thesteam tank may be included in the espresso machine. The method mayfurther include transmitting the wet steam from the steam tank to asuper-heater included in the espresso machine. The super-heater mayinclude a body and a flow path within the body. The body may be separatefrom the steam tank. In some embodiments, the method includessuperheating the wet steam in the flow path by transferring thermalenergy generated within the body to the wet steam and providing thesuperheated steam to a user of the espresso machine.

In some embodiments, the method includes employing the espresso machineto pre-wet coffee grounds at a first flow rate of water provided to thecoffee grounds. The method may include employing the espresso machine tobrew one or more shots of espresso from the pre-wetted coffee grounds ata second flow rate of water provided to the pre-wetted coffee grounds.The second flow rate may be greater than the first flow rate. In atleast one embodiment, the super-heater may include a heating elementpositioned within the body. A portion of the heating element may form atleast a portion of the flow path. When the wet steam flows through theflow path, the wet steam is in direct physical contact with the heatingelement.

In various embodiments, the method may include adjusting a flow rate ofthe transmitting of the wet steam from the steam tank to thesuper-heater. Adjusting the flow rate may include employing a flow rateregulating assembly included in the espresso machine. A control memberof the flow rate regulating assembly may include one or more magnets toprovide the user tactile feedback when adjusting the flow rate. Acontrol member of the flow rate regulating assembly may include one ormore magnetic switches to sense a position of a steam handle.

In some embodiments, the super-heater may include a helical memberpositioned in the body and a heating element positioned in the body. Inat least one embodiment, the body, the helical member, and the heatingelement are coaxial about a longitudinal axis of the body. In variousembodiments, the super-heater includes a first end cap and a second endcap. The first end cap may be positioned on a first longitudinal end ofthe body. The second end cap may be positioned on a second longitudinalend of the body.

Various embodiments are directed towards one or more methods forpreparing a beverage. The beverage may be a coffee-based beverage, suchas but not limited to a latte, cappuccino, or the like. In someembodiments, the beverage may be a tea-based, a chai-based beverage, orthe like. The method may include brewing a volume of coffee, generatingsteam, and providing the steam to a super-heater assembly. The volume ofcoffee may include, but is not otherwise limited to one or more shots ofespresso. The generated steam may include wet steam. The method mayfurther include employing the super-heater assembly to heat the steam toa temperature that is greater than a vaporization temperature of waterat a pressure of the super-heater assembly. For instance, the wet steammay be turned into superheated steam. The method may further includeproviding the heated steam to a potable liquid to heat the potableliquid, such as but not limited to milk. Furthermore, the heated potableliquid may be combines with the volume of coffee.

In some embodiments the method may further include regulating a flowrate of the heated steam provided to the user. Regulating the flow ratemay include controlling valves positioned between a steam tank and thesuper-heater assembly. The steam tank may generate the steam. In atleast one embodiment, the method also includes employing a thermocoupleto control the temperature of the heated steam that is greater than thevaporization temperature of water at the pressure of the super-heaterassembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention aredescribed in detail below with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a pump-drivenespresso machine that generates superheated steam and is consistent withthe various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of one embodiment of pump-drivenespresso machine that includes a steam super-heater assembly that mayenable the generation of superheated steam and is consistent with thevarious embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a steam super-heater assemblythat is consistent with the various embodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates another embodiment of a steam super-heater assemblythat is consistent with the various embodiments.

FIG. 4B shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the steamsuper-heater assembly of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the steam super-heaterassembly of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A illustrates yet another embodiment of a steam super-heaterassembly that is consistent with the various embodiments.

FIG. 5B shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the steamsuper-heater assembly of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of still anotherembodiment of a steam super-heater assembly that is consistent with thevarious embodiments.

FIG. 5D shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the steam super-heaterassembly of FIG. 5C.

FIG. 5E shows yet another embodiment of a steam super-heater assemblythat is consistent with the various embodiments.

FIG. 5F shows another embodiment of a steam super-heater assembly thatis consistent with the various embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of another embodiment of an espressomachine that generates superheated steam and is consistent with thevarious embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7A illustrates a logical flow diagram showing one embodiment of aprocess for preparing a coffee-based beverage that is consistent withthe various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7B illustrates a logical flow diagram showing one embodiment of aprocess for generating superheated steam in the preparation of acoffee-based beverage that is consistent with the various embodimentsdescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments are described more fully hereinafter with referenceto the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show,by way of illustration, specific embodiments by which the invention maybe practiced. The embodiments may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art. Thefollowing detailed description should, therefore, not be limiting.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take themeanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. The term “herein” refers to the specification,claims, and drawings associated with the current application. The phrase“in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to thesame embodiment, though it may. Furthermore, the phrase “in anotherembodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a differentembodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, variousembodiments of the invention may be readily combined, without departingfrom the scope or spirit of the invention.

In addition, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or”operator, and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive andallows for being based on additional factors not described, unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout thespecification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferences. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”

As used herein, the term “fluid” may refer to a substance thatcontinually deforms or flows under an applied sheer stress. Fluids mayinclude states of matter other than solid states. Accordingly, a fluidmay include, but not be limited to a liquid or a gas. Accordingly, afluid may include a vaporized state of mater. In some embodiments, afluid may include a liquid state of matter.

As used herein, the term “vapor” may refers to a gaseous state ofmatter. The term “vaporize” may refer to converting a solid or liquidstate of the matter to the vapor or gaseous state of the matter.

As used herein, the term “steam” may refer to a vaporized, or at leastpartially vaporized state of matter. Thus, steam may refer to a gaseousstate of matter. Such vaporized (or partially vaporized) matter mayinclude but is not otherwise limited to water. Whether the matter isvaporized depends upon at least one of the temperature of matter, thepressure of the matter, and the like.

As used herein, the term “wet steam” may refer to partially vaporizedmatter, such as but not limited to water. Thus, wet steam is steam thatincludes a combination of vaporized and non-vaporized particles ofmatter. For instance, wet steam may include vaporized water molecules,as well as non-vaporized water molecules. Wet steam may be characterizedby the fractional composition of the non-vaporized/vaporized particles.For instance, 3% wet steam may include 97% vaporized water molecules and3% liquid-water molecules. Thus, the higher the concentration ofliquid-water molecules, the wetter the steam.

Wet steam may exist in a system, where a portion of the water moleculesare liquid-water molecules (and another portion are vaporized-watermolecules). However, not enough latent heat has been transferred to thewater molecules to completely vaporize all of the water moleculesincluded in the system.

As used herein, the terms “dry steam” or “superheated steam” may referto fully vaporized matter, such as but not limited to water. Thus, drysteam or superheated steam is steam that include little or nonon-vaporized particles of matter. For instance, dry steam may include100%, or close to 100%, vaporized water molecules. Enough latent heathas been transferred to the water molecules to completely vaporize allof the water molecules included in the system.

Thus, superheated steam may store more energy than wet steam.Accordingly, superheated steam may transfer energy (or heat) withoutcondensing. Superheated steam may be cooled somewhat, withoutcondensing.

The energy transfer capacity of dry or superheated steam may be lessthan the energy transfer capacity of wet steam. For instance, a heattransfer coefficient of superheated steam may be less than thecorresponding heat transfer coefficient of the wet steam.

Some processes to prepare various beverages, such as but not limited tocoffee-based beverages may employ steam to heat and/or froth a potableliquid to combine with the one or more espresso shots. Such coffee-basedbeverages may include cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos, and the like.Such potable liquids that may be heated and/or frothed via superheatedsteam may include, but are not otherwise limited to dairy-based milk,soy-based milk, rice-based milk, almond-based milk, hemp-based milk,coconut-based milk, cashew-based milk, or the like.

In various embodiments discussed herein, the employed steam may besuperheated seam. In at least one embodiment, the employed steam mayinclude dry steam. Employing superheated steam to heat and/or froth thepotable liquid may be more advantageous than employing wet steam in thepreparation of a beverage, including but not limited to coffee-basedbeverages, tea-based beverages, chai-based beverages, and the like. Insome embodiments, employing superheated steam to heat and/or froth thepotable liquid may be more advantageous than employing wet steam in thepreparation of beverages.

For instance, when superheated steam is employed to froth milk, thefrothed milk is significantly lighter, creamier, and more sweet thanmilk frothed with wet steam. At least because wet steam includesnon-vaporized water, the employment of wet steam waters down andincreases the weight (or density) of the steamed and/or frothed milk.Additionally, wet steam condenses more than dry and/or superheated steamwhen transferring heat energy to the milk. Thus, milk frothed with wetsteam is further watered down, as compared to milk frothed with dryand/or superheated steam, which condenses less than wet steam.

Accordingly, the weight or density of milk frothed with superheatedsteam is lighter than, as compared to milk frothed with wet steam.Additionally, because superheated steam does not water down the frothedmilk, milk frothed with superheated steam appears creamier than milkfrothed with wet steam. The creamier appearance includes a creamiervisual appearance and a creamier tasting experience, as well as acreamier feeling. Furthermore, milk frothed with superheated steam issweater than milk frothed with wet steam. The superheated steam mayrelease more of sugars within the milk, as compared to wet steam.

Accordingly, in at least some embodiments, a milk with a lower fatcontent may be frothed with superheat steam, and provide the tasting,visual appearance, and “mouth-feel” of a frothed milk of a higher fatcontent. For instance, a latte may be prepared skim milk frothed withsuperheated steam, and for all intents and purposes, the consumer may beprovided the experience of drinking a latte prepared with steamed and/orfrothed 1% milk. Similarly, a chai-based beverage may be prepared with2% milk frothed with superheated steam, and for all intents andpurposes, the consumer may be provided the experience of drinking achai-based beverage prepared with steamed and/or frothed whole milk. Asyet another example, a cappuccino prepared 1% milk frothed withsuperheated steam, the consumer may, for all intents and purposes, beprovided the experience of drinking a cappuccino prepared with steamedand/or frothed 2% milk.

Various embodiments of assemblies, systems, and espresso machinesdiscussed herein may generate at least superheated steam and/or drysteam to heat and/or froth the potable beverage combined with the brewedespresso to prepare coffee-based drinks. Furthermore, various methods ofpreparing coffee-based beverages and/or employing espresso machinesdiscussed herein may employ at least superheated steam and/or dry steam.

In addition to the advantages of employing superheated and/or dry steamin the preparation of an espresso-based drink, the flavor profile of theespresso shot may be of critical importance. The flavor profile of anespresso shot is dependent upon many factors associated with theespresso machine, the coffee grounds, and the brewing process used toproduce the shot. Such factors include the coarseness of the groundcoffee beans, the temperature, pressure, and volume of water forcedthrough the grounds, as well as the time for which the water is incontact with the grounds and the distribution of water over the grounds.Slowly and fully pre-wetting the grounds, prior to forcing the heatedpressurized water through the grounds, may greatly increase the qualityand complexity of the taste profile of the shot. Coffee beans used tomake espresso may contain carbon dioxide and other gasses which mayaffect the taste profile of the espresso shot. Some of these gasses maybe acquired by the beans during a roasting process. Whole coffee beansare roasted prior to grinding the beans and brewing espresso andpreparing other coffee drinks with the ground beans. The roastingprocess, which involves heating the beans, is required to produce someof the characteristic flavors associated with coffee. During theroasting process, carbon dioxide may be formed within the cell structureof the coffee beans.

Slowly and fully pre-wetting the coffee grounds with water, prior tobrewing espresso, may allow for the release of the carbon dioxide fromthe ground coffee beans. When at least a portion of the carbon dioxideis released, or out-gassed, from the ground coffee beans, the baristamay grind the beans significantly finer than is otherwise possible. Manyindividuals experience a greater and more complex taste profile of anespresso shot if the coffee grounds have been fully pre-wetted prior tothe full pressure brewing process as there is an increasing of thesurface area of the finer ground coffee and more of the coffee oils arethen extracted, increasing mouth-feel and decreasing bitterness of theespresso.

Brewing one or more shots of espresso may include a plurality of phases.For instance, brewing a shot of espresso may include at least a pre-brewphase and an extraction phase. The flow rate of water provided to thecoffee grounds may be controlled, regulated, and/or varied during eachof the phases included in the brewing process. U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/015,823, filed on Aug. 30, 2013 and entitled SYSTEM, METHOD,AND APPARATUS FOR REGULATING FLOW RATE IN AN ESPRESSO MACHINE, thecontents of which are hereby fully incorporated by reference, describesvarious embodiments of controlling, regulating, and varying the flowrate of water during a multi-phase expresso brewing process.Furthermore, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/580,665, filed on Dec.23, 2014 and entitled SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS FOR REGULATING FLOWRATE IN AN ESPRESSO MACHINE, the contents of which are hereby fullyincorporated by reference, describes various embodiments of controlling,regulating, and varying the flow rate of water during a multi-phaseexpresso brewing process.

Espresso Machines

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a pump-drivenespresso machine 100 that generates superheated steam and is consistentwith the various embodiments described herein. In at least oneembodiment, espresso machine 100 may generate dry steam. Espressomachine 100 of FIG. 1 may include similar features, components, and/orfunctionality of the various embodiments described herein, including,but not limited to espresso machine 200 of FIG. 2 or espresso machine600 of FIG. 6.

In FIG. 1, espresso machine 100 is shown having steam wand 102, whereinespresso machine 100 may deliver pressurized steam through at least onesteam aperture (not shown) disposed on a distal end of steam wand 102.Steam wand 102 may deliver the generated superheated and/or dry steamthrough the at least one steam aperture. In some of the variousembodiments, at least a portion of the distal end of steam wand 102,including the one or more steam apertures, may be submerged in a volumeof a potable liquid, such as but not limited to dairy-based milk,soy-based milk, rice-based milk, almond-based milk or the like. Thevolume of potable liquid may be housed by a steaming cup (not shown).

Superheated and/or dry steam delivered to the volume of the potableliquid through the one or more steam apertures may steam, froth, and/orheat potable fluid, used to prepare an espresso based beverage, such asa latte or cappuccino. In some of the various embodiments, the positionof the steam wand 102 may be rotatably adjustable.

As discussed throughout, a flow rate of superheated and/or dry steamthrough steam wand 102 and the one or more steam apertures may becontrolled by steam handle 104. In some of the various embodiments, theflow rate of steam through the at least one steam aperture may varybetween a maximum flow of steam and no steam. In at least oneembodiment, the flow rate of steam may depend upon the position of steamhandle 104. In at least one embodiment, a user of espresso machine 100,or barista, may be enabled to rotate the position of steam handle 104 tocontrol the flow rate of steam through steam wand 102 and the at leastone steam aperture.

In some embodiments, espresso machine 100 includes a steam super-heaterassembly (not shown in FIG. 1) to generate the superheated and/or drysteam. Espresso machine 100 may include a steam super-heater assembly atleast similar to any of the various embodiments discussed herein,including but not limited to steam super-heater assembly 250, 300, 400,500, or 650 of FIGS. 2-6 respectively.

In some embodiments, espresso machine 100 may include brew cap assembly106. In at least one embodiment, the heated pressurized water isdelivered to coffee grounds through brew cap assembly 106. Brew capassembly 106 may include at least one giggleur (not shown). A giggleurmay include at least one of an aperture, orifice, or valve from whichpressurized water is forced through and expelled out of. A giggleur maybe configured and arranged to deliver a volume of water to the coffeegrounds in a stream or in a spray, similar to a nozzle assembly.

Portafilter assembly 110 may be rotatably coupable to an underside ofbrew cap assembly 106. In at least one of the various embodiments, thebarista may couple portafilter assembly 110 to the underside of brew capassembly 106 by at least exerting a rotational force on portafilterhandle 112.

In at least one embodiment, portafilter assembly 110 may house a coffeeground basket (not shown). In some embodiments, coffee ground basket maybe a basket filter that houses coffee grounds. Accordingly, in at leastone embodiment, brew cap assembly 106 may deliver heated pressurizedwater, through at least the giggleur (not shown), to coffee groundshoused in the coffee ground basket included in portafilter assembly 110and coupled to brew cap assembly 106. In some embodiments, the coffeeground basket may permit the flow of at least a portion of the waterdelivered by brew cap assembly 106, but restricts the flow of the coffeegrounds.

In some of the various embodiments, heated pressurized water may flowfrom brew cap 106 into portafilter assembly 110 and, due to at least thepressure, at least a portion of the heated pressurized water may beforced or extracted through the coffee grounds housed within coffeeground basket contained within portafilter assembly 110. Espresso may beextracted through the basket filter and flow out of portafilter assembly110 through at least one portafilter aperture (not shown) disposed on anunderside of portafilter assembly 110. The produced espresso may bedeposited in an espresso shot glass (not shown) disposed on drip tray114.

Some embodiments of espresso machine 100 may include brew pressure gauge118, which may give an indication, or reading, of the pressure of theheated pressurized water at least one point in at least one brew flowline (not shown) included in espresso machine 100. In some embodiments,brew pressure gauge 118 may indicate the pressure within portafilterassembly 110 and between the giggleur and the coffee grounds. In atleast one embodiment, brew pressure gauge 118 may be an analog gauge. Insome embodiments, brew pressure gauge 118 may be a digital gauge.Espresso machine 100 may include water supply 116, which supplies waterto espresso machine 100. The water from water supply 116 may be heatedand pressurized by espresso machine 100 and used to produce espressoand/or steam. In some embodiments, water supply 116 may include a waterfilter.

In at least one of the various embodiments, espresso machine 100 mayinclude brew handle 108. Brew handle 108 may be employed to control anespresso brewing process. In at least one of the various embodiments,the espresso brewing process may include at least two phases: a pre-brewphase and an extraction phase. The two phases may be distinct and/orindependent phases. The two phases may be temporally-ordered phases,with the pre-brew phase occurring prior to the extraction phase.

In at least one embodiment, brew handle 108 may be used to initiate theespresso brewing process. In some of the various embodiments, brewhandle 108 may be used to initiate the pre-brew phase of the brewingprocess. In some of the various embodiments, brew handle 108 may be usedto transition the espresso brewing process from the pre-brew phase tothe extraction phase. In at least one of the various embodiments, brewhandle 108 may be used to terminate the espresso brewing process,including at least terminating the extraction phase.

Espresso machine 100 may include a processor or processor device (notshown). In some embodiments, the processor device may at least controlat least a portion of the espresso brewing process. In some embodiments,the processor device may adjust or control the flow rate during theespresso brewing process. In at least one embodiment, the processordevice may control or adjust at least one valve, such as but not limitedto a proportional valve, included in espresso machine 100. The valve maybe employed to regulate the flow rate of the superheated steam throughsteam want 102.

In some embodiments, espresso machine 100 may include one or more flowmeters (not shown). The one or more flow meters may enable a measurementof the flow rate of water through one or more brew groups. The one ormore flow meters may enable a measurement of a volume of water flowingduring at least a portion of the espresso brewing process.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of one embodiment of pump-drivenespresso machine 200 that includes a steam super-heater assembly 250that may enable the generation of superheated steam and is consistentwith the various embodiments.

In various embodiments, espresso machine 200 may include power supply222. As shown by the hashed connections, power supply 222 may provide atleast a portion of the electrical power required to operate variouscomponents and/or assemblies of espresso machine 200, such as brewheating source 224, steam heating source 228, controls for brew flowrate assembly 208, and pump 226. In some embodiments, power supply 222may provide at least electrical power to at least one of brew flow rateregulating assembly 236, steam flow rate regulating assembly 238, andcontrols for steam generation and flow rate regulating assembly 204. Inthe context of FIG. 2, hashed connecting lines are used to illustrate atleast electrical coupling and/or electrical communication of thecomponents. The electrical coupling may include the ability todistribute electrical power and/or electrical signals that may enablethe controlling or operation of the various components. Also in thecontext of FIG. 2, directional solid connecting lines are used toillustrate at least the fluid and/or pressure communication of thecomponents.

In some embodiments, espresso machine 200 may include water supply 216.Water supply 216 may supply water to pump 226. In some embodiments, pump226 may pump at least a portion of the water supplied by water supply216 to brew tank 230, wherein the pumped water may be heated,pressurized, and used in the brewing of espresso. In some embodiments,pump 226 may pump water to steam tank 234, where the pumped water may beused to generate superheated steam employed in the preparation of somecoffee based drinks. In some embodiments, water supply 216 may includeat least a water filter. In at least one of the various embodiments,brew tank 230 and steam tank 234 may be supplied water from separateand/or independent water supplies and/or separate pumps. In at least oneembodiment, brew tank 230 and steam tank 234 may be supplied water fromthe same water supply and/or the same pump.

In some embodiments, pump 226 may provide at least a portion of thepressure required to pressurize water stored in brew tank 230. In someembodiments, a plurality of pumps may be included in espresso machine200. In at least one embodiment, at least one pump may be dedicated topressurizing water stored in brew tank 230. Similarly, pump 226 mayprovide at least a portion of the pressure required to pressurize waterstored in steam tank 234. In at least one embodiment, at least one pumpmay be dedicated to pressurizing water stored in steam tank 234.

In at least one embodiment, espresso machine 200 may include brewheating source 224. Brew heating source 224 may provide at least aportion of the heat energy required to heat water supplied by watersupply 216. At least a portion of the water heated by brew heatingsource 224 may be stored within brew tank 230. In at least oneembodiment, brew heating source 224 may be disposed in brew tank 230. Insome of the various embodiments, brew heating source 224 may include aresistive element, such as a resistive coil or other type of heatingelement.

Some embodiments of espresso machine 200 may include steam heatingsource 228. Steam heating source 228 may provide at least a portion ofthe heat energy required to produce steam within steam tank 234. In atleast one embodiment, steam heating source 228 may be disposed withinsteam tank 234. In some of the various embodiments, steam heating source228 may include a resistive element, such as a resistive coil or othertype of heating element.

In various embodiments, wet may be generated within steam tank 234 viathe transfer of heat energy from steam heating source 228 to thepressurized water within steam tank 234. The generation of wet steamwithin steam tank 234 may increase the pressure within steam tank 234.Generating wet steam within steam tank 234 may include the partialvaporization of the water molecules stored within steam tank 234.

The wet steam generated in steam tank 234 may flow into steamsuper-heater assembly 250. Steam super-heater assembly 250 employs theprovided wet steam to generate superheated steam. In at least oneembodiment, at least a portion of the steam generated from the wet steamin the steam super-heater assembly 250 may be dry steam. Variousembodiments of steam super-heater assemblies are discussed throughout.For instance, various embodiments of steam super-heater assemblies arediscussed throughout, such as but not limited to in conjunction withFIGS. 3-5B. However, briefly, steam super-heater assembly 250 maytransfer heat to the wet steam to complete the vaporization of the wetsteam generated in steam tank 234 to generate dry steam. Furthermore,steam super-heater assembly 250 may transfer additional heat to the drysteam to increase the temperature beyond liquid/vapor boundary at thepressure within steam super-heater assembly 250 to generate superheatedsteam.

Thus, steam super-heater assembly is provided wet steam via a steaminput of steam super-heater assembly 250 and provides or outputssuperheated steam via a steam output of steam super-heater assembly 250.At least a portion of the outputted steam via the steam output of thesteam super-heater assembly 250 may be dry steam.

The superheated and/or dry steam generated via the steam super-heaterassembly 250 flows out of espresso machine 200 via the steam output 202.For instance, steam output 202 may be included in steam wand 102 ofespresso machine 100 of FIG. 1. Steam output 202 may include one or moresteam apertures in steam wand 102. The superheated and/or dry steamoutputted via steam output 202 may be employed to heat, steam, and/orfroth a potable liquid for the preparation of one or more beverages,including but not limited to coffee-based beverages, tea-basedbeverages, chai-based beverages, and the like.

The flow rate at which the wet steam flows into the steam super-heaterassembly 250 may be regulated via the steam flow rate regulatingassembly 238. Note that the steam flow rate regulating assembly alsoregulates the flow rate of the superheated and/or dry steam of ofespresso machine 200 via steam output 202. The steam flow rateregulating assembly 238 may include a valve, such as but not limited toa proportional valve. The steam flow rate regulating assembly 238 may becontrolled via the controls for steam generation and flow rate 204. Forinstance, controls for steam generation and flow rate 204 may includebut are not otherwise limited to steam handle 104 of espresso machine100 of FIG. 1. Likewise, the controls for steam generation and flow rate204 may control the temperature of the generated superheated steam.

In at least one embodiment, controls for steam generation and flow rate204 may include one or more controllers. In some embodiments, thecontroller may be a processor device, such as a microcontroller, amicroprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), or the like. Acontroller may include a logic device, such as but not limited to anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gatearray (FPGA), or the like. In various embodiments, controls for steamgeneration and flow rate 204 may include one or more thermocouples.

Steam flow rate regulating assembly 238 may regulate the flow rate ofthe wet steam from steam tank 234. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, steam flowrate regulating assembly 238 may be downstream from the steam tank 234.Steam super-heater assembly 250 may be downstream from steam tank 234.In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, steam flow rate regulating assembly 238may be upstream from the steam super-heater assembly 250. Accordingly,steam flow rate regulating assembly 238 may be positioned or locatedintermediate the steam tank 234 and steam super-heater assembly 250. Inat least one embodiment, steam flow rate regulating assembly 238 may bepositioned or located downstream from steam super-heater assembly 250.

In at least one embodiment, espresso machine 200 may include one or moresteam pressure and temperature gauges 252. Steam pressure andtemperature gauges 252 may give an indication of the pressure of atleast one point between steam tank 234 and steam output 202. In at leastone embodiment, steam pressure and temperature gauges 252 may give anindication of the temperature of superheated steam output by steamoutput 202.

In at least some embodiments, brew tank 230 may store heated andpressurized water. During at least a portion of an espresso brewingprocess, at least a portion of the heated pressurized water storedwithin brew tank 230 may flow downstream from brew tank 230 to coffeegrounds housed in coffee ground housing 220 and then to espresso output240. In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of the heatedpressurized water may flow through a downstream giggleur 225 beforereaching coffee grounds housing 220. In some embodiments, giggleur 225may include at least an aperture or an orifice. In some embodiments,giggleur 225 may include a nozzle and/or valve. In some embodiments, adiameter of the aperture or orifice included in giggleur 225 may be witha range, such as 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm. In at least some embodiments, thediameter of the aperture or orifice may be approximately 0.7 mm. In atleast one embodiment, giggleur 225 may be characterized by at least afeature size of the included aperture or orifice.

In at least one of the various embodiments, coffee ground housing 220may be included in a portafilter assembly, such as portafilter assembly110 of FIG. 1. In at least some embodiments, steam tank 234 may storepressurized steam. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the steamstored within steam tank 234 may flow from steam tank 234 to steamoutput 202.

In at least one embodiment, espresso machine 200 may include one or morebrew pressure and temperature gauges 218. Brew pressure and temperaturegauges 218 may give an indication of the pressure of at least one pointbetween pump 226 and coffee ground housing 220. In at least oneembodiment, brew pressure gauge may give an indication of pressuredownstream of giggleur 225 and upstream of coffee grounds. Brew pressureand temperature gauges 218 may give an indication of the temperature ofat least one point between pump 226 and coffee ground housing 220.

In at least one embodiment, espresso machine 200 may include steam tankpressure gauge 232. Steam pressure gauge 232 may give an indication ofthe pressure at at least one point between pump 226 and steam output202. In at least one embodiment, steam pressure gauge 232 may be ananalog gauge. In some embodiments, steam pressure gauge 232 may be adigital gauge.

In at least one embodiment, espresso machine 200 may include brew flowrate regulating assembly 236. In some embodiments, brew flow rateregulating assembly 236 may be upstream of brew tank 236. During atleast a portion of the espresso brewing process, water may flow frompump 226 and through brew flow rate regulating assembly 236 beforereaching brew tank 230. In at least one alternative embodiment, brewflow rate regulating assembly 236 may be downstream of brew tank 235,but upstream of giggleur 225.

In at least one of the various embodiments, brew flow rate regulatingassembly 236 may regulate, or limit, the flow rate of heated pressurizedwater arriving at coffee ground housing 220, during at least a portionof the espresso brewing process. In at least one of the variousembodiments, giggleur 225 may regulate, or limit, the flow rate ofheated pressurized water arriving at coffee ground housing 220, duringat least a portion of the espresso brewing process.

At coffee ground housing 220, the flow rate regulated water may beexposed to coffee grounds housed within. In some embodiments, at least aportion of the flow regulated water delivered to coffee grounds maypre-wet the coffee grounds. At least a portion of the flow regulatedwater delivered to coffee grounds, may be extracted through thepre-wetted coffee grounds to produce espresso. In some embodiments, atleast a portion of the extracted espresso may exit espresso machine 200through espresso output 240. In at least one embodiment, espresso output240 may include at least a portafilter aperture, such as the portafilteraperture discussed in the context of FIG. 1. The produced espresso mayflow from espresso machine 100 via the portafilter aperture.

In at least one embodiment, brew flow rate regulating assembly 236 mayadjustably regulate the flow rate of heated pressurized water flowing tocoffee ground housing 220. Various embodiments of brew flow rateregulating assembly 236 are described in greater detail with regard toFIGS. 3-6. However, briefly stated, in at least one embodiment, brewflow rate regulating assembly 236 may include at least one flow path,wherein a flow rate of water, which flows into and out of brew flow rateregulating assembly 236, may be regulated, adjusted, or otherwisecontrolled. In at least one embodiment, regulating, adjusting, orotherwise controlling the flow rate of water into and out of brew flowrate regulating assembly 236 may regulate, adjust, or otherwise controlthe brew flow rate of water delivered to the coffee grounds during anespresso brewing process. In at least one embodiment, regulating,adjusting, or otherwise controlling the flow rate of water into and outof brew flow rate regulating assembly 236 may regulate, adjust, orotherwise control the pressure of the water delivered to the coffeegrounds during an espresso brewing process.

In some embodiments, brew flow rate regulating assembly 236 may includea plurality of flow paths, where a flow rate of pressurized water, foreach individual flow path in the plurality of flow paths, may beregulated, adjusted, or otherwise controlled. In some embodiments, theplurality of flow paths may include independent flow paths. In at leastone of the various embodiments, at least a portion of the plurality offlow paths may include parallel flow paths. In some embodiments, theindependent flow paths may vary in both transverse and longitudinal sizeand/or shape. In some embodiments, the independent flow paths may varyin transverse diameter or transverse cross-sectional area. In at leastone embodiment, a flow rate through brew flow rate regulating assembly236 may include the sum of at least a portion of the individual flowrates of each of the plurality of flow paths.

Steam Super-Heater Assemblies

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a steam super-heater assembly 300that is consistent with the various embodiments. Steam super-heaterassembly 300 may be employed in any of the various embodiments discussedherein to generate superheated and/or dry steam. For instance, variousembodiments of steam super-heater assembly 300 may be included in any ofthe espresso machines discussed herein, including but not limited toespresso machine 100 of FIG. 1, espresso machine 200 of FIG. 2, orespresso machine 600 of FIG. 6. Steam super-heater assembly 300 may beemployed in any of the various process embodiments discussed herein togenerate superheated and/or dry steam, including but not limited toprocess 700 of FIG. 7A or process 750 of FIG. 7B.

Steam super-heater assembly 300 may include a super-heater body 310, aheating element 320, and one or more helical members 330. Super-heaterbody 310 may be a substantially tube-shaped body. In some embodiments,super-heater body 310 may be substantially a cylindrical shell thatincludes a longitudinal axis. The tube-shaped body or cylindrical shelldefines an internal cavity of the super-heater body 310. Super-heat bodymay include a first flange 316 on the first longitudinal end of the tubeor cylindrical shell and a second flange 318 on the second longitudinalend of the tube or cylindrical shell. As shown in FIG. 3, the first andsecond longitudinal ends of super-heater body 310 may be open end toreceive at least the heating element 330 and the helical member 330. Thesuper-heat body 310 may include a longitudinal axis extending betweenthe first and second longitudinal ends of the super-heater body 310.

A longitudinal length of the super-heater body 310 may be substantiallyequivalent to the distance between the first and second longitudinalends of the super-heated body 310. The longitudinal length of thesuper-heater body 310 may be approximately 4 inches. Other embodimentsare not so constrained, and the longitudinal length may be any lengthbased on factors such as but not limited to desired flow rate, pressure,temperature, and the like of the generated superheated steam. Thediameter of the super-heater body 310 may be approximately 0.75 inches.However, other embodiments are not so constrained, and the diameter maybe any diameter based on factors such as but not limited to desired flowrate, pressure, temperature, and the like of the generated superheatedsteam. In various embodiments, the thickness of the cylindrical shell ortube of super-heater body 310 may be approximately between 0.1 and 0.2inches. However, other embodiments are not so constrained, and thethickness may be any thickness less than half the diameter of thesuper-heater body 310 based on factors such as but not limited todesired flow rate, pressure, temperature, and the like of the generatedsuperheated steam.

Super-heater body 310 may be fabricated from any material, including butnot limited to a metal. In at least one embodiment, the material may bechosen to decrease heat transfer out of the steam super-heater assembly300. The choice of the material may be based on factors such as but notlimited to desired flow rate, pressure, temperature, and the like of thegenerated superheated steam. The shape of the lateral cross section ofthe super-heater body 310 (and internal cavity) is circular in someembodiments, Other embodiments are not so constrained, and the crosssectional shape of each of the super-heater body 310 and thecorresponding internal cavity may take on any shape, including but notlimited to elliptical, rectangular, square, triangular, and the like.

Super-heater body 310 includes a steam input 312 or input port and asteam output 314 or output port 312. In some embodiments, the steaminput 312 and the steam output 314 may be positioned the lateral surfaceof the super-heater body 310, such that each of the steam input/output312/314 is substantially orthogonal to each of the first and secondlongitudinal ends of the super-heater body 310. In some embodiments, thesteam input 312 is closer to the first longitudinal end of thesuper-heater body 310 than to the second longitudinal end of thesuper-heater body 310. In at least one embodiment, the steam input 312is substantially adjacent the first longitudinal end of the super-heaterbody 310. In some embodiments, the steam output 314 is closer to thesecond longitudinal end of the super-heater body 310 than to the firstlongitudinal end of the super-heater body 310. In at least oneembodiment, the steam output 314 is substantially adjacent the secondlongitudinal end of the super-heater body 310. As shown in FIG. 3, insome embodiments, the steam input 312 and steam output 314 aresubstantially aligned on the lateral surface of the super-heater body310.

The heating element 320 may be a substantially rod-shaped heatingelement. As shown in FIG. 3, the shape of the heating element 320 maysubstantially match the shape of the super-heater body 310. Accordingly,the lateral cross section of the heating element may take onsubstantially any shape, including but not limited to circular,elliptical, square, rectangular, triangular, and the like. Because theheating element 320 is positioned or located within the internal cavityof the super-heater body 310, the longitudinal length of the heatingelement 320 may be close to, but slightly less than the longitudinallength of the super-heater body 310. Similarly, the lateral crosssectional area of the heating element 320 may be less than the lateralcross sectional area of the internal cavity of the super-heater body310.

The heating element 324 includes a base 324 that may house electronics.At least the rod-shaped portion of heating element 320 may generatethermal energy. In various embodiments, the rod-shaped portion ofheating element 320 may include a resistive heater that generated heatvia electrical resistance. Heating element 320 may include one or morecables to carry electrical signals to the heating element 320. Forinstance, the one or more cables 322 may provide electrical power to theheating element. Although not shown in FIG. 3, in various embodiments, asteam super-heater assembly, such as but not limited to steamsuper-heater assembly 300 may include one or more thermocouples employedto determine the temperature of either the heating element 320, steamwithin the super-heater assembly 300, or within the internal cavity ofsuper-heater body 310. The one or more cables 322 may provide power toand/or carry away signals from the one or more thermocouples.

The helical member 330 may include a plurality of helical coils orwindings. In various embodiments, helical member 330 may be a coilspring. However, other embodiments are not so constrained, and thehelical member 330 is not substantially elastically deformable. Thelongitudinal length, as well as the number, pitch, and radius of thecoils in the various embodiments may be varied based on factors, such asbut not limited to desired flow rate, pressure, temperature, and thelike of the generated superheated steam.

As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 3, the heating element 320 and thehelical member 330 are positioned or located within the internal cavityof super-heater body 310. In various embodiments, the super-heater body310, helical member 330, and the rod-shaped heating element 320 areconcentrically configured. In at least one embodiment, the coils ofhelical member 330 are radially intermediate the lateral internalsurfaces of the super-heater body 310 and the lateral surfaces of theheating element 320.

Steam super-heater assembly 300 may include a first end cap 302 and asecond end cap 304. The first end cap 302 may mate with and couple tothe first longitudinal end of the super-heater body 310. In someembodiments, the first end cap 302 may mate with and/or couple to thefirst flange 316 of super-heater body 310. Likewise, the second end cap304 may mate with and couple to the second longitudinal end of thesuper-heater body 310. In some embodiments, the second end cap 304 maymate with and/or couple to the second flange 318 of super-heater body310.

In various embodiments, when the first and second end caps 302/304 arecoupled to the corresponding first/second longitudinal ends of thesuper-heater body 310, the steam super-heater assembly 300 isessentially a closed vessel except for the steam input 312 and the steamoutput 314. As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the steam input 312and steam output 314 may include extensions that are substantiallyorthogonal to the lateral surfaces of the super-heater body 310.

In various embodiments, wet steam enters the internal cavity of thesuper-heater body 310 via steam input 312. As discussed throughout,within the internal cavity of the super-heater body 310, the heatingelement 320 fully vaporizes and/or heats the wet steam to generatesuperheated and/or dry steam within the internal cavity of thesuper-heater body 310. The generated superheated and/or dry steam existsthe super-heater body 310 via steam output 314.

FIG. 4A illustrates another embodiment of a steam super-heater assembly400 that is consistent with the various embodiments. Figure—shows alongitudinal cross-sectional view of the steam super-heater assembly 400of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the steamsuper-heater assembly 400 of FIG. 4A. Steam super-heater assembly 400may include similar features, components, or functionality of any of thevarious embodiments discussed herein, including at least but not limitedto steam super-heater assembly 250 of FIG. 2 or steam super-heaterassembly 300 of FIG. 3. Steam super-heater assembly 400 may be includedin any of the embodiments of espresso machines discussed herein,including but not limited to espresso machine 100 of FIG. 1, espressomachine 200 of FIG. 2, or espresso machine of FIG. 6. Steam super-heaterassembly 400 may be employed in any of the various process embodimentsdiscussed herein to generate superheated and/or dry steam, including butnot limited to process 700 of FIG. 7A or process 750 of FIG. 7B.

Similar to steam super-heater assembly 300 of FIG. 3, steam super-heaterassembly 400 of FIGS. 4A-4C includes a super-heater body 410, a heatingelement 420, and a helical member 430. The view shown in FIG. 4A is atleast a partially transparent view, wherein the super-heat body 410 ispartially transparent and the heating element 420 and the helical member420 is shown within the internal cavity of the super-heater body 410.

Similar to super-heater body 310 of FIG. 3, super-heater body 410includes a first flange 416, second flange 418, steam input 412, andsteam output 414. Steam input 412 and steam output 414 includeextensions that are substantially orthogonal to the lateral surfaces ofthe super-heater body 410. In contrast to steam input/output 312/314 ofFIG. 3, the extensions of steam input/output 412/414 of steamsuper-heater assembly 400 are substantially anti-aligned on the lateralsurface of the super-heater body 310. Accordingly, the extensions ofsteam input/output 412/414 are directed in substantially opposite and/oranti-aligned directions that are each substantially orthogonal to thelongitudinal axis of steam super-heater assembly 400.

Steam super-heater assembly 400 includes first end cap 402 and secondend cap 404 to mate with first and second flanges 416 and 418respectively. Heating element 420 includes a base 424 and one or morecables 422 that can transmit electrical power, as one as one or moreelectrical signals enabled to encode at least one or analog and/ordigital information.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 4B shows that the coils ofhelical member 430 are coiled around the rod-shaped portion of heatingmember 420. The coils are coiled around the heating element and extendin the longitudinal direction of the steam super-heater assembly 400.The super-heater body 410, helical member 430 and the heating element420 are arranged in a concentric configuration and share thelongitudinal axis of steam super-heater assembly 400 as a common axis.

Note that at least FIG. 4B shows wet steam entering the cavity ofsuper-heater body 410 via steam input 412 and superheated steam exitingsteam super-heater assembly 400 via steam output 414. FIG. 4B shows thatthe concentric configuration the super-heater body 410, the helicalmember 430, and the heating element form a helical flow path betweensteam input 412 and steam output 414. The general direction of steamflow from the steam input 412 to the steam output 414 is generally alongthe longitudinal direction. However, wet steam entering steam input 412travels generally through the helical coil path.

Wet steam entering the internal cavity of super-heater body 410 isexposed directly to the surface of the heating element 420. Thus, theefficiency of heat transfer from heating element 410 to the wet steam issignificantly increased. Furthermore, as the wet steam flows from thesteam input 412 and flows toward the steam output 414, the wet steamflows substantially along the helical flow path formed by the concentricconfiguration of the heating element 420, the coils of the helicalmember 430, and the internal surfaces of the super-heater body 410. Dueto the helical nature of the steam flow path between steam input 412 andsteam output 414, the length of the flow path is significantly greaterthan the longitudinal distance between steam input 412 and steam output414. Accordingly, the total amount of thermal energy transferred fromthe heating element 420 to the wet steam is significantly increased dueto at least the steam's directed exposure to the heating element 420 andthe significantly increased length of the steam flow path. Thus, thevaporization of the wet steam is completed during the steam's flowthrough the internal cavity of the super-heater body 410 and the steamis converted into dry steam. Furthermore, the dry steam is may befurther heated and thus superheated steam is generated. The superheatedsteam exits the steam output 414.

The flow arrows of the lateral cross-sectional view of FIG. 4C show thatas the steam flows between the steam input 412 and the steam output 414,the steam is exposed directly to the heated surfaces of heat element 420and follows a helical path defined by the concentric configuration ofthe heating element 420, the helical member 430, and the internalsurfaces of the super-heater body 410.

FIG. 5A illustrates yet another embodiment of a steam super-heaterassembly 500 that is consistent with the various embodiments. FIG. 5Bshows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the steam super-heaterassembly 500 of FIG. 5A. Steam super-heater assembly 500 may includesimilar features, components, or functionality of any of the variousembodiments discussed herein, including at least but not limited tosteam super-heater assembly 250 of FIG. 2, steam super-heater assembly300 of FIG. 3, and steam super-heater assembly 400 of FIG. 4. Steamsuper-heater assembly 500 may be included in any of the embodiments ofespresso machines discussed herein, including but not limited toespresso machine 100 of FIG. 1, espresso machine 200 of FIG. 2, orespresso machine 600 of FIG. 6. Steam super-heater assembly 500 may beemployed in any of the various process embodiments discussed herein togenerate superheated and/or dry steam, including but not limited toprocess 700 of FIG. 7A or process 750 of FIG. 7B.

Similar to steam super-heater assembly 400 of FIG. 4, steam super-heaterassembly 500 of FIGS. 5A-5B includes a super-heater body 510, a heatingelement 520, and a helical member 530. The view shown in FIG. 5A is atleast a partially transparent view, wherein the super-heat body 510 ispartially transparent and the heating element 520 and the helical member520 is shown within the internal cavity of the super-heater body 510.

Similar to super-heater body 310 of FIG. 3, super-heater body 510includes a first flange 516, second flange 518, steam input 512, andsteam output 514. In contrast to steam input/output 312/314 of FIG. 3,steam input 512 and steam output 514 does not include extensions thatare substantially orthogonal to the lateral surfaces of the super-heaterbody 510. Rather, steam input/output 512/514 includes apertures oropenings within super-heater body 510.

Steam super-heater assembly 500 includes first end cap 502 and secondend cap 504 to mate with first and second flanges 516 and 518respectively. Heating element 520 includes a base 524 and one or morecables 522 that can transmit electrical power, as one as one or moreelectrical signals enabled to encode at least one or analog and/ordigital information.

FIG. 5C shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of still anotherembodiment of a steam super-heater assembly 540 that is consistent withthe various embodiments. FIG. 5D shows a lateral cross-sectional view ofthe steam super-heater assembly of FIG. 5C. Steam super-heater assembly540 may be a pass through super-heater assembly. Steam super-heaterassembly 540 may include two concentric bodies or tubes: inner tube 556and outer tube 550. At least one of the inner tube 556 or outer tune 550may be a stainless steel tube. The outer cavity or space between innertube 556 and outer tube 550 includes a heating element 558. The wetsteam is provided via steam input 552 and flows through inner internalcavity 544 (as shown by the flow arrow in FIG. 5C). The wet steam isexposed to the heating element 558 and is transformed into superheatedsteam, before flowing out of steam output 554. Thus, inner internalcavity 558 may form a flow path for the steam.

Steam super-heater assembly 540 may include one or more cables 542 thatmay provide electrical power to the heating element 558. Although notshown in FIG. 5C or 5D, in various embodiments, a steam super-heaterassembly, such as but not limited to steam super-heater assembly 540 mayinclude one or more thermocouples employed to determine the temperatureof either the heating element 558, steam within the super-heaterassembly 540, or within the inner internal cavity 544 of super-heaterassembly 5400. The one or more cables 542 may provide power to and/orcarry away signals from the one or more thermocouples.

FIG. 5E shows yet another embodiment of a steam super-heater assembly560 that is consistent with the various embodiments. Steam super-heaterassembly 560 includes a steam input 562 (for receiving wet steam) and asteam output 564 for providing superheated steam. Steam super-heaterassembly 560 includes a spiraling, helical, or otherwise circuitoussteam flow path 556 to expose the wet steam to heating element 568.Heating element 568 transforms the wet steam into superheated steamwithin steam flow path 556. Due to the spiraling nature of flow path,556, the steam is directly exposed to heating element 568 for a longeramount of time, and an efficient super-heating process is achieved. FIG.5F shows another embodiment of a steam super-heater assembly 580 that isconsistent with the various embodiments. Steam super-heater assembly 580may include similar features, components, and/or functionality as tosuper-heater assembly 560 of FIG. 5E.

FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of another embodiment of an espressomachine 600 that generates superheated steam and is consistent with thevarious embodiments described herein. Espresso machine 600 of FIG. 6 mayinclude similar features, components, and/or functionality of thevarious embodiments described herein, including, but not limited toespresso machine 100 of FIG. 1 or espresso machine 200 of FIG. 2. Theupstream/downstream coordinate system is shown in the upper portion ofFIG. 6.

Espresso machine 600 includes water supply 616, steam tank 634, andsteam heating source 628. In various embodiments, the steam heatingsource may be housed in steam tank 634. The combination of steam heatingsource 628 and steam tank 634 may form a boiler system that generateswet steam from water supplied by water supply 616.

Espresso machine 600 includes a steam flow rate regulating assembly 638and controls for steam generation and flow rate 604. For instance,controls for steam generation and flow rate 604 may include a steamhandle, such as but not limited to steam handle 104 of espresso machine100. A steam handle may include one or more magnets 670. Espressomachine 600 may also include one or more other magnets 666 that opposemagnet 670. As used herein, two opposing magnet have their polesanti-aligned such that the north pole of the first magnet is insubstantial alignment with the south pole of the second magnet and/orthe south pole of the first magnet is in substantial alignment with thenorth pole of the second magnet. Accordingly, a pair of opposing and/oranti-aligned magnets induce a mutually attractive force. While a pair ofaligned magnets induce a mutually repelling force. Thus, the termsopposing refers to the anti-alignment of the poles of two magnets.

When two magnets are brought near one another and into opposition (oranti-alignment), the opposing magnets provide tactile feedback for thesmooth and precise control of the flow rate of steam, due the mutuallyattractive force between the magnets. For instance, when the steamhandle included in controls for steam generation and flow rate 604 isrotated such that magnet 670 passes near one of the opposing magnet ofmagnets 666, the opposing magnet provides an attractive force thatprovides a “snapping into place” experience for the user. Although notshown in FIG. 6, espresso machine 600 may include one or more magneticswitches to sense a position of steam handle 604 and provide apositioning signal to flow rate regulating assembly 638. Such magneticswitches enable the automatic sensing and detection of the user'scontrol (rotation) of steam handle 604.

Steam flow rate regulating assembly 638 may include one or more valves670. The one or more valves 670 may regulate the flow of the wet steamfrom the steam tank 634 through one or more steam flow paths 672. Thecontrols for steam generation and flow rate 604 may control the one ormore valves 670. In at least one embodiment, the one or more valves 670may include at least one proportional valve. The opening and closing ofthe one or more valves 670 may be pulsed. The frequency of the pulsingmay be controlled, varied, and/or regulated via the controls for steamgeneration and flow rate 634 to control, vary, and/or regulate the flowrate of steam.

Espresso machine 600 may include a steam super-heater assembly 650 thatis downstream from the steam flow rate regulating assembly 638 andcompletes the vaporization of the wet steam. Accordingly, the wet steamflows downstream from the steam flow rate regulating assembly 638 to thesteam super-heater assembly 650, where superheated steam is generatedfrom the wet steam. Steam super-heater assembly 650 may include similarfeatures, components, or functionality to any of the steam super-heaterassemblies discussed herein, including but not limited to steamsuper-heater assemblies 300, 400, and 500 of FIGS. 3-5B. In at least oneembodiment, a thermal insulating layer 662, such as but not limited to athermal insulating blanket or foam, may at least partially insulate thesteam super-heater assembly 650 from the ambient temperature to increasethe efficiency of the steam super-heater assembly 650.

Espresso machine 600 may include controls for steam temperature 668, asteam pressure gauge, 652, and a steam temperature gauge 654. Controlsfor steam temperature may include one or more controllers. The one ormore controllers may include a processor device, such as amicrocontroller, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), orthe like. A controller may include a logic device, such as but notlimited to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), or the like.

Furthermore, espresso machine 600 may include one or more thermocouples664. The thermocouple 664 may be in thermal contact with at least aportion of the super-heater assembly. The thermocouple 664 may be enableto generate a signal based on a temperature of a portion of thesuper-heater assembly. As shown in FIG. 6, controls for steamtemperature 668 may receive the signal. The controls for steamtemperature 668 may adjust a temperature of the heating element based ona difference between the temperature of the portion of the super-heaterassembly and a temperature threshold. Accordingly, the controls forsteam temperature 668 and thermocouple 664 may work together to generateand respond to thermostatic feedback. The superheated steam may beoutputted from espresso machine 600 via steam wand 602.

Methods for Preparing Beverages and Generating Superheated Steam

Various embodiments of processes 700 and 750 of FIGS. 7A-7B may bedirected towards the preparation of coffee-based beverages. However,other embodiments are not so constrained, and may be employed in thepreparation of other beverages, such as but not limited to tea-basedbeverages, chai-based beverages, and the like. FIG. 7A illustrates alogical flow diagram showing one embodiment of a process for preparing acoffee-based beverage that is consistent with the various embodimentsdescribed herein. Process 700 begins, after a start block, at block 702where coffee is brewed. Brewing coffee is discussed throughout. Howeverbriefly, brewing coffee at block 702 may include, but is not otherwiselimited to brewing one or more shots of espresso. Coffee grounds may bepre-wetted at a first flow rate. The one or more shots of espresso maybe brewed by providing the pre-wetted coffee grounds water at a secondflow rate. The second flow rate may be greater than the first flow rate.Brewing coffee at block 702 may include brewing a first volume ofcoffee.

At block 704, superheated steam is generated. Various embodiments ofgenerating superheated steam are discussed throughout, including atleast in conjunction with process 750 of FIG. 7B. However, briefly, atblock 704, superheated steam may be generated in at least a two stepprocess. For instance, first, wet steam may be generated in a steamtank. Generating wet steam may include generating partially vaporizedfluid. The wet steam may be provided to a downstream steam super-heaterassembly. The wet steam may be further dried and heated in thesuper-heater assembly to convert the wet steam into superheated steam.Generating superheated steam may include further vaporizing thepartially vaporized fluid. At least a portion of the wet steam may beconverted into dry steam. Superheated and/or dry steam may includefurther vaporized fluid. Such a steam super-heater assembly may include,but is not otherwise limited to the various steam super-heaterassemblies discussed herein.

At block 706, a potable liquid may be heated and/or frothed with thesuperheated steam. The potable liquid may include, but is not otherwiselimited to dairy-based milk, soy-based milk, rice-based milk,almond-based milk, hemp-based milk, coconut-based milk, cashew-basedmilk, or the like. For instance, a steam wand, such as but not limitedto steam wand 102 of espresso machine 100 of FIG. 1 or steam wand 602 ofespresso machine 600 of FIG. 6 may be used to provide the superheatedsteam to the potable liquid.

At block 708, the heated and/or frothed potable liquid may be provide tothe coffee brewed at block 702. Process 700 may terminate after block708.

FIG. 7B illustrates a logical flow diagram showing one embodiment of aprocess for generating superheated steam in the preparation of acoffee-based beverage that is consistent with the various embodimentsdescribed herein. Process 750 begins after a start block 752, where theflow rate of wet steam is adjusted. The flow rate may be between a steamtank and a steam super-heater assembly, such as but not limited to steamtank 234 and steam super-heater assembly 250 of espresso machine 200 ofFIG. 2, or steam tank 634 and steam super-heater assembly 650 ofespresso machine of FIG. 6.

In at least one embodiment, the flow rate may be adjusted by a user ofan espresso machine via steam flow rate controls. Such steam flow ratecontrols include, but is not otherwise limited steam handle 104 ofespresso machine 100 of FIG. 1, controls for steam generation and flowrate 204 of espresso machine 200, or steam handle 604 of espressomachine 600.

In some embodiments, adjusting the flow rate may be enabled viaemploying a steam flow rate regulating assembly, such as but not limitedto steam flow rate regulating assembly 238 of espresso machine 200 orsteam flow rate regulating assembly 638 of espresso machine 600. In atleast one embodiments, adjusting the flow rate may include regulatingthe flow rate by controlling one or more valves positioned intermediatea steam tank and a steam super-heater assembly. The one or more valvesmay regulate the flow rate through one or more flow paths.

At block 754, the temperature of a heating element of a steamsuper-heater assembly may be adjusted. The temperature of the heatingelement may be adjusted based on a type of the potable liquid that isbeing steamed and/or frothed. By adjusting the temperature of theheating element, the temperature of the superheated steam is adjusted.For instance, some types of potable liquid, such as dairy-based milk maybe steamed and/or frothed with super-heated steam at a differenttemperature than the temperature of the superheated steam that isemployed to steam and/or froth soy-based milk. Thus, the temperature ofthe superheated steam may be adjusted to increase the consumingexperiences of different types of milk to steam and/or froth.

At block 754, the temperature may be adjusted via one or more controlsor controllers, such as but not limited to controls for steamtemperature 668 of espresso machine 600. Adjusting the temperature ofthe heating element may control or adjust a moisture content of thesuperheated steam to be generated. For instance, above a thresholdtemperature, the super-heater assembly may fully vaporize steam withinit. Thus, at block 754, the temperature of the heating element may beadjust such that the temperature is greater than a vaporizationtemperature of water at a pressure of the super-heater assembly. Athermocouple may be employed to control the temperature of the heatingelement, such as but not limited to thermocouple 664 of espresso machine600.

At block 756, wet steam is generated, as discussed herein. Generatingwet steam may occur in one or more steam tanks included in an espressomachine. For instance, generating wet steam may include partiallyvaporizing a fluid housed within the steam tank.

At block 758, the wet steam or partially vaporized fluid is provided toa steam super-heater assembly. Such steam super-heater assemblies arediscussed throughout, and include but are not otherwise limited to steamsuper-heater assembly 250, 300, 400, 500, 650, and the like, discussedin conjunction with at least FIGS. 2-6. Providing the wet steam to asteam super-heater assembly may include transmitting wet steam from thesteam tank to the steam super-heater assembly.

At block 760, superheated steam is generated from the wet steam. In atleast one embodiment, the superheated steam may be generated via a heatexchange process from a heating element in the steam super-heaterassembly to the wet steam. Generating superheated steam at block 760 mayinclude drying out the wet steam within the steam super-heater assemblyvia a heat exchange process between a heating element of thesuper-heater assembly and the wet steam. According, generatingsuperheated steam may include generating dry steam steam. Thesuperheated steam may be a temperature that is greater than the boilingor vaporization temperature of a fluid at the pressure within thesuper-heater assembly.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a description of thecomposition, manufacture, and use of the invention. Since manyembodiments of the invention can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claimshereinafter appended.

1. A method for employing a machine for a preparation of a beverage, themethod comprising: partially vaporizing a fluid housed within a tankincluded in the machine by heating the fluid to a vaporizingtemperature, wherein a portion of the fluid is transformed to vapor anda portion of the fluid remains in a liquid state; providing thepartially vaporized fluid to a super-heater assembly included in themachine and, wherein the super-heater assembly is downstream from thetank and includes a helical member that surrounds a heating element thehelical member receiving the provided partially vaporized fluid;employing the super-heater assembly to further vaporize the fluid byexposing the partially vaporized fluid in the helical member to theheating element to produce further vaporized fluid, the furthervaporized fluid containing a greater portion of vapor than in thepartially vaporized fluid; and providing the further vaporized fluid toa heat or froth a milk product.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theemploying the super-heater assembly to further vaporize the fluid causesa heat transfer from the heating element to the fluid within the helicalmember to heat the partially vaporized fluid above the vaporizingtemperature.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the super-heater assemblyfurther includes a body, wherein at least the heating element, thehelical member, and the body form at least a portion of the flow path,the helical member positioned intermediate the heating element and thebody, and wherein the helical member directs the received partiallyvaporized fluid along a concentric path about a longitudinal axis of thebody to increase a total amount of thermal energy transferred to thepartially vaporized fluid.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:brewing one or more shots of espresso; and combining the heated potableliquid with the one or more shots of espresso.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein at least a portion of the further vaporized fluid includessuperheated steam.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising at leastone of: adjusting a flow rate of the partially vaporized fluid from thetank to the super-heater assembly; or adjusting a moisture content ofthe further vaporized fluid that is provided to the potable liquid byadjusting a temperature of a portion of the super-heater assembly. 7.The method of claim 6, wherein the flow rate of the partially vaporizedfluid from the tank to the super-heater assembly is adjusted bycontrolling one or more valves positioned downstream from the tank andupstream from the super-heater assembly.
 8. A method for generatingsuperheated steam within an espresso machine, the method comprising:generating unsaturated steam within a steam tank included in theespresso machine; transmitting the unsaturated steam from the steam tankto a super-heater included in the espresso machine, wherein thesuper-heater is downstream from the steam tank and includes a body, aheating element, and a helical member that defines a flow path withinthe body, wherein the body is separate from the steam tank; superheatingthe unsaturated steam in the flow path by transferring thermal energygenerated within the body using the heating element to the unsaturatedsteam; and providing the superheated steam to heat or froth milk.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising: employing the espresso machine,pre-wetting coffee grounds at a first flow rate of water provided to thecoffee grounds; and employing the espresso machine, brewing one or moreshots of espresso from the pre-wetted coffee grounds at a second flowrate of water provided to the pre-wetted coffee grounds, wherein thesecond flow rate is greater than the first flow rate.
 10. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the heating element is positioned within the body andis surrounded by the helical member to form at least a portion of theflow path such that when the unsaturated steam flows through the flowpath, at least a portion of the unsaturated steam is in direct physicalcontact with the heating element.
 11. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: adjusting a flow rate of the transmitting of the unsaturatedsteam from the steam tank to the super-heater by employing a flow rateregulating assembly included in the espresso machine.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein a movable control member of the flow rate regulatingassembly includes one or more opposing magnets to provide the user withtactile feedback by inducing a mutually attractive force between themovable control member and one of one or more opposing magnets as themovable control member is moved towards the one of the one or moreopposing magnets as the movable control member is moved towards the oneof the one or more opposing magnets to cause a sensation that thecontrol member is being snapped into place.
 13. The method of Claim 8,wherein the the helical member of the super-heater is intermediate theheating element and the body, wherein the body, the helical member, andthe heating element are coaxial about a longitudinal axis of the body,and wherein the superheating the unsaturated steam in the flow path bytransferring thermal energy generated within the body to the unsaturatedsteam further comprises: directing the unsaturated steam along thehelical member of the super-heater to expose the unsaturated steam tothe heating element to superheat the unsaturated steam by transferringthermal energy from the heating element.
 14. The method of claim 8,further comprising: controlling a temperature of the superheating theunsaturated steam in the flow path using one or more thermocouplersdownstream from the steam tank.
 15. A method for preparing acoffee-based beverage, the method comprising: brewing a volume ofcoffee; generating steam in a steam tank; providing the steam to asuper-heater assembly located downstream from the steam tank; employingthe super-heater assembly to heat at least a portion of the steam to atemperature that is greater than a vaporization temperature of water ata pressure of the super-heater assembly; providing the heated steam toheat or froth milk; and combining at least a portion of the heated orfrothed milk with the volume of coffee.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the providing the steam to steam to a super heater assembly andthe employing the superheater assembly to heat at least a portion of thesteam further comprises: providing the steam to a body of thesuper-heater assembly through an input of the body of the super-heaterassembly, wherein the input enables fluid access into an internal cavityof the body, and wherein the body includes an output that enables fluidegress out of the internal cavity; and heating the at least a portion ofthe steam using a heating element that includes one or more heatingsurfaces positioned within the internal cavity of the body of thesuper-heater assembly to heat the portion of the steam, wherein theheating element is configured and arranged to heat the one or moreheating surfaces, and wherein a flow path within the internal cavity ofthe body enables fluid to flow from the input, through the internalcavity of the body, and to the output of the body, wherein at least aportion of the one or more heating surfaces of the heating element format least a portion of the flow path such that when the fluid flowsthrough the internal cavity of the body, at least a portion of the fluidis in direct physical contact with the one or more heating surfaces. 17.The method of claim 16, further comprising: employing the super-heaterassembly to heat at least a portion of the steam using a helical memberpositioned within the internal cavity of the body of the super-heaterassembly, wherein at least a portion of the helical member forms anotherportion of the flow path such that the flow path is a helical flow path.18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: employing thesuper-heater assembly to heat at least a portion of the steam, whereinthe body, the heating element, and the helical member are concentricallyarranged about a longitudinal axis of the body of the super-heaterassembly such that the helical member is laterally intermediate the bodyand the heating element.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:regulating a flow rate of the heated steam provided to the user bycontrolling one or more valves positioned intermediate a steam tank thatgenerates the steam and the super-heater assembly.
 20. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising: employing a thermocouple to control thetemperature of the heated steam that is greater than the vaporizationtemperature of water at the pressure of the super-heater assembly.